ABOUT
Commercial Law League of America
Find A CLLA Attorney
Find A CLLA Certified Agency
Find A CLLA Agency
Find A CLLA Professional
ABOUT
Commercial Law League of America
Find A CLLA Attorney
Find A CLLA Certified Agency
Find A CLLA Agency
Find A CLLA Professional
Since 1895, the Commercial Law League of America (“CLLA”) has operated as a not-for-profit association of creditors’ rights attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, commercial collection agencies, and legal network personnel. The CLLA has earned a reputation as a leader in providing networking, legal, educational, and professional services to the business and credit communities.
Our attorney members concentrate in collections, bankruptcy, insolvency, construction law, and complex commercial litigation. Members also include law students, law clerks and judges, as well as collection agency and legal network professionals.
CLLA provides an online membership directory, Find A CLLA Professional, that provides a direct link and location to commercial lawyers, commercial collection agencies, legal networks, and paralegals.
CLLA is dedicated to providing networking opportunities, education, and results to Attorneys, Credit and Collection Professionals, and Alliance Partners.
Mission & History
Annual Awards
Champion Sponsors
The CLLA Champion Sponsors are businesses that offer a variety of products and services to the commercial credit industry. Champion Sponsorship at any level provides an opportunity to showcase your business while you save money. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Dawn Federico at dawn.federico@clla.org
or call 312-240-1400.
Past Presidents
Board of Governors
Staff
CLLA National Committees
The CLLA Maintains Six Standing National Committees.
Certification – The Certification Committee administers the Commercial Collection Agency Program and objectively reviews the findings of the outside auditor.
Education – The Education Committee’s mandate is to identify topics and procure speakers for the National convention. This Committee also approves all Education programs for regional events.
Finance – The Finance Committee prepares the budget, oversees finances, and provides recommendations to the Board of Governors.
Government Affairs – The Government Affairs Committee takes charge of lobbying efforts, policy recommendations, and amicus briefs.
Meetings – The Meetings Committee’s mandate is to coordinate with the Executive Vice President regarding site selection recommendations to the Board of Governors, to coordinate with the Executive Vice President ensure that meetings programming is scheduled properly and networking events are valuable, and to review materials and brochures for meetings.
Membership Development – The Membership Development Committee is responsible for developing and implementing membership benefit programs to increase and retain members. The committee will (1) assist the League staff in identifying avenues to cultivate new members, create membership benefits statements for CLLA and each practice section; (2) seek new opportunities in industry groups and other trade organizations that will provide benefits to the League along with expanding membership (3) work with League staff to develop a marketing plan by using social media and other campaigns to expand the footprint of the League worldwide; and (4) strive to ensure that every member sees a valuable proposition in the League through professional development, connections, camaraderie, prestige, business development and enjoyment.
Use the toggles below to view the committee members:
Certification
Richard Payne, Chair
Payne Law
Toronto, ON, Canada
rpayne@rpaynelaw.com
Jessica Hartman, Non-voting Member
International Association of Commercial Collectors
Eagan, MN
Hartmann@acainternational.org
Dawn Federico, Staff
CLLA
Rolling Meadows, IL
dawn.federico@clla.org
Phil Lattanzio, Staff
CLLA
Rolling Meadows, IL
phil.lattanzio@clla.org
John Tauer, Outside Accountant
CliftonLarsonAllen
Minneapolis, MN
john.tauer@claconnect.com
Education
Ben Farrow, Chair/Southern Region Rep
Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC
Montgomery, AL
bfarrow@awf.law
Valerie Ingold, Agency Section Rep
Commercial Collection Corp. of NY, Inc.
Tonawanda, NY
vingold@commercialcollection.com
Michael Sonnhalter, ALLP
General Bar
Cleveland, OH
mike@generalbar.com
Judith Fitzgerald, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
Judge_Judith_Fitzgerald@yahoo.com
Beverly Weiss Manne, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
bmanne@tuckerlaw.com
Randall Woolley, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Darcy & Devassy, P.C.
Chicago, IL
rwoolley@darcydevassy.com
Brad Council, CRS Rep
Slovin & Associates Co., LPA
Cincinnati, OH
bcouncil@sclpa.com
Mike Hynum, Eastern Region Rep
Hynum Law
Harrisburg, PA
mhynum@hynumpc.com
John Pucin, Midwest Region Rep
Caine & Weiner Co., Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
john.pucin@caine-weiner.com
Natalia Minassian, Western Region Rep
Hatkoff & Minassian, ALC
Tarzana, CA
nminassian@hatkofflaw.com
Jonathan Herron, Young Members’ Section Rep
Sklar Law, LLC
Cherry Hill, NJ
jon@sklarlaw.com
David Lippman, Member
Lippman Recupero
Tucson, AZ
david.lippman@lippmanrecupero.com
Travis Davison, Member
Davison Law Firm
Memphis, TN
edgar@davisonlawfirm.net
Stuart Collins, Member
Collis, Griffor & Hendra, P.C.
Ypsilanti, MI
scollis@collisandgriffor.com
Maribeth Thomas, Member
Tucker Arensberg, P.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
mthomas@tuckerlaw.com
Wanda Borges, Esq. Member at Large
Borges & Associates, LLC
Syosset, NY
wborges@borgeslawllc.com
Finance
Timothy Wan, Member/Chair
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
Smithtown, NY
twan@smithcarroad.com
David R. Gamache, Treasurer
Gamache & Meyers, P.C.
St. Louis, MO
davidgamache@gmcollects.com
Mark J. Sheriff, Immediate Past Treasurer
Thomas & Thomas, Attorneys at Law, LLC
Columbus, OH
mark.sheriff@tt-law.com
William Thrush, President
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
Owings Mills, MD
wthrush@fftlaw.com
Theodore Hamilton, President Elect
Wetherington Hamilton, P.A.
Tampa, FL
tjh@whhlaw.com
Murray S. Lubitz, Member
Murray Lubitz Law Firm
White Plains, NY
ztibul@aol.com
Gary M. Weiner, Member
Weiner Law Firm, PC
Springfield, MA
gweiner@weinerlegal.com
Robert “Bobby” Bernstein, Member
Bernstein & Bernstein, PA
North Charleston, SC
rbernstein@bernsteinpa.com
Government Affairs
Daniel C. Kerrick, Chair/CRS Amicus
Hogan McDaniel
Wilmington, DE
dckerrick@dkhogan.com
Lori Frank, CRS Rep: Legislative
Markoff Law PLLC
Southfield, MI
lori@markofflaw.com
Gilbert M. Singer, CRS Rep: Legislative
Marcadis Singer P.A.
Tampa, FL
gsinger@marcadissinger.com
Adam Streltzer, Bankruptcy Rep: Amicus Chair
Adam L. Streltzer, Attorney at Law
Los Angeles, CA
adam@streltzer.com
Jonathan Kramer, Bankruptcy Rep: Amicus
Whitfield & Eddy, PLC
Des Moines, IA
kramer@whitfieldlaw.com
David Leigh, Bankruptcy Rep: Legislative
Ray Quinney & Nebeker P.C.
Salt Lake City, UT
dleigh@rqn.com
Ian McCarthy, New Members’ Section Rep
Barnett & Garcia, PLLC
Austin, TX
ian@barnettgarcia.com
Bill Mann, Agency Section Rep
Joseph, Mann & Creed
Twinsburg, OH
bill.mann@jmcbiz.com
Don B. Scott, ALLP
Wright Holmes Law List
Katonah, NY
dscott@collectioncenter.com
Peter Califano, Advisor
Neisar & Vestal LLP
San Francisco, CA
pcalifano@nvlawllp.com
Ronakd Peterson, Advisor
Jenner & Block, LLP
Chicsago, IL
rpeterson@jenner.com
Jeffrey Schatzman, Advisor
Schatzman & Schatzman, PA
Miami, FL
jschatzman@schatzmanlaw.com
Meetings
Brad A. Council, Chair
Slovin & Associates Co., LPA
Cincinnati, OH
bcouncil@sclpa.com
Walter J. Lockhart, Agency Section Rep
STA International
Melville, NY
wlockhart@stacollect.com
Nancy B. Hamilton, ALLP
American Lawyers Quarterly
Cleveland, OH
nancy@alqlist.com
Deborah Rubin, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
Southfield, MI
drubin@taftlaw.com
Jay Welford, Bankruptcy Section Rep
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
Southfield, MI
jwelford@taftlaw.com
Elliot Portman, CRS Rep
Portman Law Group, P.C.
Hauppauge, NY
e.portman@PLG-NY.com
Timothy Wan, Eastern Region Rep
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
Smithtown, NY
twan@smithcarroad.com
Robert Lurie, Midwest Region Rep
Reisenfeld & Associates LPA LLC
Cleveland, OH
robert.lurie@rslegal.com
T. Britt Rudman, Western Region Rep
Law Offices of T. Britt Rudman
Beverly Hills, CA
tbrudman@beverlyhillslegal.com
Patrick James Kilburn, Young Members’/Southern Region Rep
Lloyd & McDaniel, PLC
Louisville, KY
pkilburn@lloydmc.com
David Lippman, Member
Lippman Recupero
Tucson, AZ
david.lippman@lippmanrecupero.com
Richard Crowson, Member
Isenberg & Hewitt, PC
Sandy Springs, GA
rick@isenberg-hewitt.com
Robert Pohl, Member
POHL, PA
Greenville, SC
robert@pohlpa.com
Membership Development
Victor Garcia, Chair/CRS
Garcia Legal, PA
Miami Lakes, FL
victor@garcialegalpa.com
Brandon James, Agency Section Rep
Tucker, Albin & Associates, Inc.
Richardson, TX
b.james@tuckeralbin.com
Owen Glen Hare, Bankruptcy/YMS Section Rep
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
Owings Mills, MD
ohare@fftlaw.com
Jonathan Allen, Eastern Region Rep
Allen Law, PC
Springfield, MA
jon@AllenLawMA.com
Christopher G. Nixon, Law List Publisher Rep
American Lawyers Quarterly
Cleveland, OH
nixon@alqlist.com
Amy L. Pona, Midwest Region Rep
Gurstel Law Firm, P.C.
Golden Valley, MN
a.pona@gurstel.com
Crystal Cole, Southern Region Rep
Crystal R. Cole, Attorney at Law
Nashville, TN
crc@crystalcolelaw.com
Robert Tyler, Western Region Rep
Law Offices of Gary A. Bemis
Riverside, CA
rtyler@BemisLawOffices.com
Wanda Borges, Esq., Member
Borges & Associates, LLC
Syosset, NY
wborges@borgeslawllc.com
Jennifer Dlugolecki, Member
Firefly Legal
Mokena, IL
jennifer.dlugolecki@firefly.pro
Beverly Weiss Manne, Member
Tucker Arensberg, PC
Pittsburgh, PA
bmanne@tuckerlaw.com
Robert “Bobby” Bernstein, Member
Bernstein & Bernstein, PA
North Charleston, SC
rbernstein@bernsteinpa.com
John Parker, Member
Parker Law Firm, PLC
Phoenix, AZ
jparker@ptlaw.net
Julie Gelderblom, Member
New Orleans, LA
julie-a-g@proton.me
Michelle Gilbert, Member
Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A.
Tamap, FL
mgilbert@gilbertgrouplaw.com
CLLA Mission & History
In 1895, the CLLA was founded by William C. Sprague. The first convention, which was held in Detroit, attracted 400 men and women, including lawyers, credit men, collection agents and list and directory publishers.
The CLLA, founded in 1895, is the nation’s oldest trusted legal network of attorneys, actively engaged in the field of commercial collections and bankruptcy.
The CLLA is not just an association, but a League of professionals continually striving to be the leader in providing legal, educational and professional services to the business and credit communities.
The CLLA connects its members through networking events, professional educational opportunities, legislative advocacy and specialized legal services.
The CLLA membership is comprised of national and international attorneys, from large and small firms, who handle commercial law, bankruptcy, insolvency, retail collections, construction law, fraud, and complex commercial litigation matters. Membership also includes collection agency members, law list publishers, commercial credit professionals, judges from nearly every state, accountants, trustees, turnaround managers and other credit and finance experts, and vendors.
The CLLA has long been associated with the representation of creditor interests and is known for seeking fair, equitable, and efficient administration of collection and bankruptcy cases for all parties-in-interest.
The CLLA is also a founding sponsor of the American Board of Certification (ABC), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the public and improving the quality of the bankruptcy and creditor’s rights law bars. The ABC has certified nearly 3,000 attorneys in consumer and business bankruptcy and creditors rights law nationwide.
Mission Statement
CLLA advances commercial, bankruptcy, and business law through education, advocacy, and networking.
Vision Statement
To be the leading commercial law organization in a rapidly changing global economy.
Value Proposition
To collaborate with other professionals in your field, enhance your knowledge and skills, promote your services within our trusted legal network, and help shape the future of commercial law.
Mission Statement
CLLA advances commercial, bankruptcy, and business law through education, advocacy, and networking.
Vision Statement
To be the leading commercial law organization in a rapidly changing global economy.
Value Proposition
To collaborate with other professionals in your field, enhance your knowledge and skills, promote your services within our trusted legal network, and help shape the future of commercial law.
Core Values
- Excellence: We achieve excellence through education, certification, and earning distinction among peers.
- Professionalism: We value advocacy, networking, and collaboration by fostering trust, respect, and professional development.
- Integrity: We prioritize honesty and transparency, ensuring the highest level of ethical conduct and accountability within our membership.
- Community: We thrive on friendship, collegiality, and networking, fostering collaboration and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Core Values
- Excellence: We achieve excellence through education, certification, and earning distinction among peers.
- Professionalism: We value advocacy, networking, and collaboration by fostering trust, respect, and professional development.
- Integrity: We prioritize honesty and transparency, ensuring the highest level of ethical conduct and accountability within our membership.
- Community: We thrive on friendship, collegiality, and networking, fostering collaboration and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Annual Awards
The CLLA President’s Cup
The President’s Cup was first presented to the CLLA in 1964 by the American Lawyers Quarterly and is awarded at our Annual Meeting.
The standards for selection of the President’s Cup recipient includes a CLLA member who has:
- Rendered outstanding service for the benefit of the CLLA;
- By his or her example of excellence as well as professional and personal conduct elevated the image and stature of the CLLA among his or her professional colleagues and the public; and
- Made a substantial contribution to the improvement of the standards and practice of commercial law and the CLLA.
RECIPIENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S CUP
2017 Alan Nahmias
2016 Greg Cohen
2015 Warren Pinchuck
2014 James W. Adelman
2013 Jay L. Welford
2012 Brenda Majewski
2011 Leonard Krulewich
2010 John “Jack” M. Birk
2009 Arlene Cohen Miller
2008 Manuel H. Newburger
2007 Donald B. Kramer
2006 Emil Hartleb
2005 N/A
2004 Gary S. Lewis
2003 Robert E. Caine
2002 Jon Becker
2001 Harry W. Greenfield
2000 Charles M. Thorne
1999 Robert A. Schatzman
1998 I. William Cohen
1997 Jeanette Zolkewitz
1996 George A. Rubin
1995 Richard A. Sugermann
1994 Andrew M. Dipietro, Jr.
1993 Thomas Zide
1992 Leonard O. Abrams
1991 Philip J. Hendel
1990 Edwin Elson
1989 Don Baker
1988 R. William Steltemeier
1987 Kenneth F. Kahn
1986 Donald E. Stamm
1985 Hon. Saul Seidman
1984 Dolphe Marcus
1983 Leo E. Smith
1982 Frank L. Uhlman
1981 Robert I. Morris
1980 Norman E. Reynolds, Jr.
1979 Edward A. Kane
1978 Louis W. Levit
1977 Irvine Ungerman
1976 Sidney Feinberg
1975 Stanly Tulchin
1974 David L. May
1973 George H. Bloom
1972 B. Bernard Wolson
1971 Louis H. Lewis
1970 Judge A. A. Nathan
1969 Florence Dodge
1968 Leon S. Forman
1967 Harry Leviton
1966 Gibson B. Witherspoon
1965 Carl W. Williams
1964 Herbert U. Feibelman
The Robert E. Caine Leadership Award
This award is recognizes a League member who exhibits the outstanding leadership characteristics reminiscent of Bob Caine of Van Nuys, California, who passed away in 2006. It is presented to individuals who have:
- Demonstrated and encouraged leadership among others within the CLLA;
- Mentored others both within the CLLA and within their business segment;
- Fostered goodwill, fraternity and confidence within the CLLA; and
- Served their community and business segment in meaningful ways through personal efforts and dedication and/or charitable contribution.
RECIPIENTS OF THE CAINE AWARD
2019 Beau Hays
2018 Joseph Marino
2017 Leonard Abrams
2016 Paul Mendelson
2015 David Gamache
2014 Robert Tharnish
2013 Murray Lubitz
2012 Martin & Georgean Goldman
2011 Mark Sheriff
2010 Wanda Borges
2009 Nancy Hamilton
2008 Robert P. Ingold
2007 Charles R. “Rick” Johanson
The CLLA Lawrence P. King Award
Each year, the Executive Council of the Commercial Law League’s Bankruptcy Section presents the Lawrence P. King Award to recognize a lawyer, judge, teacher or legislator who exemplifies the best in scholarship, advocacy, judicial administration or legislative activities in the field of bankruptcy. The award is designed to recognize the lifetime achievements of Professor King, which include contributing to the practice of bankruptcy law through teaching, by working to elevate the profession and through bankruptcy-related legislative activities.
RECIPIENTS OF THE KING AWARD
2002 Senator Elizabeth Warren
2003 The Honorable Joe Lee
2004 Professor David Epstein
2005 The Honorable A. Thomas Small
2006 George Treister
2007 The Honorable Alexander Paskay
2008 The Honorable Robert Ginsberg
2009 The Honorable Eugene Wedoff
2010 The Honorable Burton R. Lifland
2011 The Honorable Judith K. Fitzgerald
2012 Justice John Paul Stevens
2013 The Honorable A. Jay Cristol
2014 Ronald Peterson
2015 The Honorable Steven Rhodes
2016 The Honorable Dennis Montali
2017 Professor Nancy B. Rapoport
2018 Professor Jay L. Westbrook
2019 G. Eric Brunstad, Jr.
2021 Honorable Laura Taylor Swain
2022 Bruce A. Markell
2023 The Honorable Thomas L. Ambro
2024 Professor Ralph Brubaker
Board of Governors
President
(One-Year Term)
Theodore J. Hamilton
Wetherington Hamilton, P.A.
812 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Suite 101
Tampa, Florida 33603, USA
Phone: 813-225-1918, Ext. 114
E-mail: tjh@whhlaw.com
President-Elect
(One-Year Term)
Richard J. Payne
Payne Law
1767 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4C 1J1
CANADA
Phone: 416-257-5011
E-mail: rpayne@rpaynelaw.com
Immediate Past-President
(One-Year Term)
William H. Thrush
Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A.
10461 Mill Run Circle, Suite 550
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117, USA
Phone: 410-559-9000, Ext. 252
E-mail: wthrush@fftlaw.com
Treasurer
(Three-Year Term)
Timothy Wan
Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C.
202 East Main Street
Smithtown, New York 11787, USA
Phone: 631-499-5400 x109
Email: twan@smithcarroad.com
Recording Secretary
(One-Year Term)
David R. Gamache
Kramer & Frank, P.C
11960 Westline Industrial Dr., #180
St Louis, MO 63146
Phone: 314-835-6650
Email:
David.Gamache@lawusa.com
Attorney Board Member
(2023-2026)
Candice L. Kline
Saul Ewing LLP
161 North Clark Street, Suite 4200
Chicago, Illinois 60601, USA
Phone: 312-876-7104
E-mail: candice.kline@saul.com
Attorney Board Member
(2022-2025)
Ben H. Farrow
Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC
7515 Halcyon Pointe Dr
Montgomery, Alabama 36117, USA
Phone: 334-272-9880
E-mail: bfarrow@awf.law
Attorney Board Member
(2024-2027)
Jack Rose
Jack Rose Law |Law Offices
of Jack J. Rose PLLC
P O Box 366
Bronxville, New York 10708, USA
Phone: 212-655-3066
E-mail: jrose@jrlpllc.com
Law List Publisher
Representative
(2023-2026)
Don B. Scott
Wright Holmes Law List
23 The Parkway, 3rd Floor
Katonah, New York 10536, USA
Phone: 914-241-3297
E-mail: dscott@collectioncenter.com
Agency Section
Representative
(2022-2025)
Tim Grimes
BARR Credit Services, Inc.
3444 N. Country Club Road, Suite 200
Tucson, Arizona 85716, USA
Phone: 520-274-2672
E-mail: tgrimes@barrcredit.com
Bankruptcy Section
Representative
(2024-2026)
Zack Shelomith
Leiderman Shelomith + Somodevilla, PLLC
2699 Stirling Road, Suite C401
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312, USA
Phone: 954-210-8957
Email: zbs@lss.law
Young Member’s Section
Representative
(2023-2025)
Victor R. Garcia
Garcia Legal, PA
14750 Northwest 77th Court, Suite 303
Miami Lakes, Florida, 33016, USA
Phone: 305-826-3345
E-mail: victor@garcialegalpa.com
Creditors’ Rights Section
Representative
(2023-2025)
Robert Ash
Radius Global Solutions,
AMS Commercial Business Division
17-17 State Rt 208, Suite 340
Fair Lawn, New Jersey, 07410
Phone: 201-871-0044
E-mail:
Robert.Ash@radiusgs.com
Executive Vice-President
Phil Lattanzio
Commercial Law League of America
3005 Tollview Dr.
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008, USA
Phone: 312-240-1400
Fax: 847-584-3939
Email: phil.lattanzio@clla.org
Staff
Phil Lattanzio – Executive Vice President
Phil.Lattanzio@clla.org
312-240-1400
CLLA Staff Listing & Contact Information
Commercial Law League of America
3005 Tollview Drive
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
Primary Contact Info: info@clla.org
Phone: 312-240-1400
Director
Dawn Federico
Dawn.federico@clla.org
312-240-1400
Member Relations Manager
Mary McCann
Mary.mccann@clla.org
Membership Consultant
Forest Troutner
Forest.troutner@clla.org
Marketing & Communications
Linda Herbst
Linda.herbst@clla.org
Chief Communications Officer
Lillian Novak
Lillian.novak@clla.org